The Ogun State Government has commenced ratification of properties on portions of land formerly acquired by Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) in Ifo Local Government Area of the state.

The Director General, Bureau of Lands and Survey, Arch. Segun Fowora, stated this while fielding questions from journalists in Abeokuta, saying there was opportunity to get title documents for such land through the state’s Property Registration Programme (PRP) under the Ogun State Land Administration and Revenue Management System (OLARMS) website www.olarms.ogunstate.gov.ng, to create a roadmap that would allow government to properly plan for development.

“Presently, PRP is offering ratification in communities in Ifo Local Government Area of the state which include, Igbusi, Fagbayi, Ogan, Abule Oke, Abata, Pakoto, Ojusango, among others’’

“PRP is still offering services in areas such as, Ikereku-olokuta, Ijeun Lukosi, Laderin, Abule-oko, Agunreti, in Abeokuta South and Obafemi Owode Local Government Areas (LGAs); Asese, Mowe, Orimerunmu, Makogi, Sefiu Sote, Olowotedo, Magboro Akeran, Ibafo, in Obafemi/Owode and Ifo LGAs; Aiyetoro, Lukosi, Seidu, Ogijo, ilara, Aguntoye Villages, Shimawa, Emagbon, Konigbagbe, in Sagamu L.G.A and Ilaro township in Yewa South LGA”.

“This programme will enable owners of dwelling houses and commercial properties to register their assets and obtain necessary building permits at 50 precent discount within a fixed time frame”, he said.

Arch. Fowora, according to the Press Officers, BLS, Ms. Temitope Adewunmi & Mrs. Bisi Fabajo, disclosed that the assessment of properties would commence on Monday, February 5, 2024, urging beneficiaries to purchase forms at designated centres within their communities and follow necessary procedures, while officials would be at the sites at 10.00am daily to register them.

President Bola Tinubu, on Tuesday, reiterated his administration’s commitment to ending the insecurity plaguing the country.

The President stated this when he inducted two T129 Attack Combat Helicopters and one King Air Beechcraft 360ER mobility aircraft for use by the Nigerian Air Force.

Represented by his Vice President Kashim Shettima, the President said the acquisition of the helicopters and the induction symbolised the commitment of his administration to the nation’s security.

The induction ceremony held at the 131 Engineering Group Hanger, Nigeria Air Force Base, Makurdi.

The President said that the acquisition and induction of the new platforms would improve NAF’s airpower in the ongoing war against terrorism.

He acknowledged that since its establishment in 1964, “NAF has been playing a critical role in the nation’s security, international operations and humanitarian needs.”

“Let me commend the Chief of Air Staff, officers and men for their commitment to enhancing national security. I assure you that the Tinubu administration will continue to support NAF and indeed, the Armed Forces of Nigeria towards combating terrorism, oil theft and other criminal activities.”

The President said substantial progress had been achieved in the ongoing counterterrorism efforts but noted that there should be no cause for celebration yet until the security challenges were fully addressed.

He called for a change in mindset, strategy and tactics in addressing the menace.

Earlier in his speech, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, said that NAF had taken delivery of no fewer than seven aircraft.

He listed the new aircraft to include two Diamond 62 surveillance aircraft, two T-129 ATAK helicopters, and a King Air 360 ER.

He added that the NAF would induct 46 new aircraft of various types over the next 18 months.

He said the air force has 170 pilots and 533 technicians and they were undergoing training locally and internationally.

The Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, expressed gratitude to the President for his foresight and dogged support for the armed forces.

He said the induction of the newly-acquired aircraft was a testimony to Tinubu’s resolve to tackle insecurity in the country while urging the air force to make the best use of the newly acquired aircraft.

Experts at the event said that the T129 ATAK is a twin-engine, tandem-seat, multi-role, all-weather attack helicopter based on the Agusta A129 Mangusta platform, developed by Turkish Aerospace Industries in partnership with Leonardo SPA.

The helicopter, it is understood, is designed for armed reconnaissance and attack missions in hot and high environments and rough geography in both day and night conditions.

Highlights of the event were the signing of the handing over documents and aerial display by the T129 Attack Combat Helicopter.

The Nigerian Communications Commission has appealed to states and local government councils across the country to cut taxes imposed on telecom companies, asserting that excessive taxation will be counterproductive to the growth of the industry.

The Federal Government in its 2024-2026 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper said it would implement a five per cent excise duty on telecommunication services to boost its revenue base.

The NCC Executive Vice Chairman, Aminu Wada Maida, lamented that with between 50 to 55 per cent taxes already imposed on telecom operators, it would be difficult to attract foreign investments into the sector in line with President Bola Tinubu’s directive to the NCC.

According to Maida, the NCC management has decided to embark on nationwide advocacy to appeal to states and local governments as well as other stakeholders on the need to reduce levies they impose on the operators, especially the Right of Way charges and other multiple taxes.

Maida made the remarks on Tuesday at the Digital Economy Complex, Mbora, Abuja, during an interactive session with journalists in Abuja.

He said, “We are going to be going on an advocacy campaign to see how we can convince the states to remove some of these obstacles like Right of Way and multiple taxations because I have seen some studies which indicate taxation is almost 50% getting to 55% in some areas in this country.

“And you would agree with me that if we are trying to bring in foreign investment that is not a good picture to paint,” the NCC boss said.

He appealed to states to consider the long-term benefits that would come to them if they allowed massive investments in the sector as job opportunities would be created alongside other value chains in the sector.

He also disclosed that the dispute between the two telecom giants, MTN Nigeria and Globacom Network would be resolved amicably soon as the commission was more interested in a level-playing field for all stakeholders.

He said the commission had developed a strategic vision based on five pillars to drive the telecom industry and ensure that it continued to contribute to the Gross Domestic Product of the country as expected.

The EVC acknowledged the challenges associated with the quality of services from Mobile Network Operators and Internet Services Providers, saying the commission would adopt “a total consumer experience” to address the challenges.

He also advised consumers complaining about data depletion to look inward as most of the problems had to do with the types of handsets they are using coupled with the services available and the digital services they enjoyed without considering cost implications.

Wada said, “Our approach will thus be to walk towards the expectations of these stakeholders, and everything for me starts with the consumer and the expectation of the consumer is very simple – quality of service.

“I don’t think you can say anything more than that. Quality of service and this quality of service, we are talking about a total consumer experience not just about drop calls or I can’t make a call.”

He added, “There is a total quality of experience right from how do you find and select the right network to use, how do you onboard onto that network talking about SIM registration process, process of linking your SIM to your NIN and of course after you have gone through all of that when you are using it, how easy is it for you to select a tariff, how transparent is the tariff, how are you supported by the entire host, how do you onboard from the network, these are important.”

In a heartwarming display of generosity, the Worship for Change Foundation, a non-profitorganisation, has donated a total sum of ₦33 million to four schools dedicated to caring for children with disabilities.

The donation, presented on February 6th, 2024 at a ceremony in Lagos, aims to empower these institutions and provide much-needed support to the underprivileges.

Each of the four beneficiary schools – Joy in Africa Foundation (Asaba), Let Cerebral Palsy Kids Learn Foundation (Lagos), Seedo Initiative for Children with Special Needs (Abuja), and To Omo Re Centre for Special Empowerment (Ilorin) – received ₦8.25 million each.

The funds were raised through the Green Worship Benefit concert, a star-studded event held on October 2nd, 2023, featuring renowned Nigerian gospel artists Nathaniel Bassey, Tope Alabi, Cobhams Asuquo, and Waje.

Worship for Change has so far been able to raise over N120m for 38 charities caring for thousands of orphans and children with special needs in Nigeria.

Wale Adenuga, Chief Responsibility Officer of Worship for Change and a gospel artist, emphasised the organisation's unwavering commitment to supporting vulnerable children.

"Since 2004, I've been driven to use my platform to help indigent children, especially children with special needs," he shared. "As we know, the special children's needs are barely cared for and catered for in our present-day society. These children are special, and God cares deeply for them."

Adenuga while using the opportunity to appreciate the individuals and corporate donors from Nigeria and all over the world for their contribution towards the success of the initiative, while thanking the planning team for their commitment to seeing that life is better for special children across Nigeria.

Emphasising transparency and accountability, Mr Adenuga assured the stakeholders of continued monitoring to ensure the funds are utilised effectively. "We will follow up closely to verify that the money is used as intended, addressing the specific needs outlined by each school," he stated.

The donation ceremony resonated with raw emotions from the founders of the benefiting schools.

Mrs Kawan Aondofa-Anjira, the founder of the Seedo Initiative, tearfully recounted the heartbreaking experiences of raising her first two children with cerebral palsy, highlighting the societal stigma and discrimination they faced.

"They were considered 'spirits', 'undeserving of life'," she lamented, recalling the cruel suggestions she received from supposed Christians. "Fueled by this experience, my husband and I established a haven for mothers in similar situations, offering therapy and support for their children.", she says

Tobiloba Ajayi, founder of Let Cerebral Palsy Kids Learn Foundation and herself living with the condition, echoed Mrs. Aondofa-Anjira's sentiment.

"My parents were told to abandon me as they already had 'normal' children," she shared. "Growing up, I realised society deemed children like me unworthy, even denying them education despite our parents' efforts."

The heartfelt testimonies resonated deeply with the audience, underscoring these schools' critical role in nurturing and empowering children with special needs. Rev. Samuel Abiodun Ajayi, a beneficiary representing To Omo Re Centre, expressed immense gratitude for the timely support. "This donation is a godsend," he exclaimed. "We were facing numerous challenges, and this will make a significant difference."

Worship For Change 1: l-r: Trustee, Worship for Change Foundation, Gboyega Aboderin; Founder, Joy in Africa Foundation, Asaba, Joy Okonjor; Her Husband, Henry Okonjor, Founder, To Omo Re Centre for Special Empowerment, Sam Ajayi; Chief Responsibility Officer, The Let Cerebral Palsy Kids Learn Foundation, Tobiloba Ajayi; Founder and Chief Responsibility Officer, Worship for Change, Wale Adenuga; and President, The Seedoo Initiative for Children with Special Needs, Kawan Aondofa-Anjira; during the presentation of cheques totaling N33m to 4 Foundations catering for special needs by Worship for Change Foundation in Lagos on Tuesday.

Worship for Change 2: l-r: Founder, Joy in Africa Foundation, Asaba, Joy Okonjor; Founder, To Omo Re Centre for Special Empowerment, Sam Ajayi; President, The Seedoo Initiative for Children with Special Needs, Kawan Aondofa-Anjira; Founder and Chief Responsibility Officer, Worship for Change, Wale Adenuga; and Chief Responsibility Officer, The Let Cerebral Palsy Kids Learn Foundation, Tobiloba Ajayi; during the presentation of cheques totaling N33m to 4 Foundations catering for special needs by Worship for Change Foundation in Lagos on Tuesday.

Worship for Change 3: l-r: Founder, Joy in Africa Foundation, Asaba, Joy Okonjor; Founder, To Omo Re Centre for Special Empowerment, Sam Ajayi;  Chief Responsibility Officer, The Let Cerebral Palsy Kids Learn Foundation, Tobiloba Ajayi; Founder and Chief Responsibility Officer, Worship for Change, Wale Adenuga; and President, The Seedoo Initiative for Children with Special Needs, Kawan Aondofa-Anjira; during the presentation of cheques totaling N33m to 4 Foundations catering for special needs by Worship for Change Foundation in Lagos on Tuesday.

The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Olayemi Cardoso has attributed the recent increase in the dollar exchange rate to the rise in Nigerian students who study abroad, as well foreign medical trips embarked on by Nigerians.

Cardoso spoke at the sectoral debate put together by the House of Representatives on Tuesday in Abuja.

The apex bank’s boss said the high cost of living remains a concern, adding that the CBN was working to bring lasting solutions, and bring down the inflation to 21.4 per cent through improved agricultural productivity.

“Volume on transactions on our market was over 800 million dollars. The cost of living remains a concern. The urgency of the matter is not lost on us. We are working to bring lasting solutions. CBN worked at bringing down Inflation to 21.4 percent aided by improved agricultural productivity.

“To address exchange rate volatility we will improve liquidity. These come with economic costs, which are temporary.

“There’s increasing demand for dollars with an increase in Nigerian students studying abroad, projected to have exceeded 100,000 by 2022. Given this data, 28.6bn dollars, education and medical tourism are also leading to increasing demand for dollars,” he added.

Super Eagles forward and Napoli hitman, Victor Osimhen has been declared fit to feature in the crucial semi final match against arch rivals, Bafana Bafana of South Africa on Wednesday.

News coming from the Super Eagles camp suggested that Osimhen is currently on his way to Bouake to meet up with the team after being cleared by the Team Doctors.

The Nigeria Super Eagles are scheduled to meet the Bafana Bafana of South Africa on Wednesday in Bouake, 6pm Nigerian time.

Meanwhile, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has appointed Egyptian referee Amin Omar for Wednesday’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) semi-final encounter between Nigeria’s Super Eagles and Bafana Bafana of South Africa.

Ademola Olajire, Director of Communications at the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), stated this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.

He said Omar’s compatriots, Mahmoud Abouelregal and Ahmed Ibrahim, would play the roles of assistant referee 1 and assistant referee 2, while Sudanese Mahmood Ismail would serve as the fourth official.

Olajire said that Attia Amsaaed from Libya will be the reserve assistant referee, with Yacoub Elmi from Djibouti as commissioner and Aboubacar Doumbouya from Guinea as referee assessor.

“Three-time champions Nigeria and 1996 champions South Africa face off in their second-ever Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) semi-final clash at the Stade de la Paix.

“Their only previous meeting at the same stage, at the National Stadium in Lagos, when Nigeria co-hosted the 2000 finals with Ghana, ended 2-0 in favour of Nigeria.

“Wednesday’s clash is being billed as the more potentially explosive of the two semi-finals; hosts Cote d’Ivoire will be up against the Democratic Republic of Congo, given the pedigree, rivalry, and ambition of the two teams,” he said.

The Presidential candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the 2023 presidential election, Atiku Abubakar says that the Presidency has failed to present a convincing justification for what he described as President Bola Tinubu’s failure to address Nigeria’s economic difficulties.

Naija News reports that the former vice-president, who was responding to Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who accused him of carving out a position as the “opposition-in-chief” to the President and the current government, said that the presidential aide showed a lack of awareness of the events going on around him.

Onanuga had claimed that Atiku took on the new position after failing to realize his lifelong aim of controlling Nigeria.

However, the former vice-president argued that throughout the 2023 presidential campaign, he gave better policy options than Tinubu’s “morbid prescriptions.”

A statement by Atiku’s spokesperson Paul Ibe read, “The Presidential Spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, failed to provide a credible defence of Bola Tinubu’s failures in tackling the economic challenges facing the country.

“In his characteristic manner, he resorts to insults and name-calling. He demonstrates ignorance of the happenings around him – as he denies, for example, that Bola Tinubu’s policies are creating excruciating pain and causing despair. We wish to respond to him as follows.

“Point 1: Did Atiku Abubakar offer any better policy options in his run for the presidency?

“Yes, he did. His living prescriptions contrast sharply with Bola Tinubu’s morbid policies. Atiku’s policy document, My Covenant With Nigerians, offers a clearly defined and robust roadmap for the socio-political and economic transformation of Nigeria. On the economy, the policy document outlines the challenges we face and our vision to get the economy on its feet and create prosperity. If Bayo desires, he can have a copy for free!

“Point 2: That all the major presidential candidates supported the withdrawal of subsidy on PMS.

“But so, what? Even if all the major candidates agreed that the fuel subsidy regime must end and that the multiple exchange rates must be fixed, this would not translate into endorsing Bola Tinubu’s failures in implementation. The truth is that unlike Atiku, Bola Tinubu did not understand the reforms he embarked upon and had no idea what steps to take to mitigate their negative impact.

“As a leader with foresight, Atiku anticipated that the withdrawal of subsidy and the unification of exchange rates could, in the absence of fundamental interventions, impact negatively on micro and small enterprises in the informal sector. He anticipated that such policies could elevate the levels of vulnerability and deprivation of poor families. including the youth and adults with no income.

“The former Vice President, therefore, pledged to support Nigeria’s businesses by creating an Economic Stimulus Fund with an initial investment capacity of approximately US$10 billion to prioritize support to MSMEs across all the economic sectors, as they offer the greatest opportunities for achieving inclusive growth. The Fund was designed to make it easier for Nigeria’s 60 million micro and small enterprises to navigate the stormy seas in the aftermath of the withdrawal of subsidy on PMS.

“In contrast, Bola Tinubu offered a paltry N125 billion to help the MSMEs, which at today’s exchange rate is no more than US100 million. Of course, Bayo Onanuga is aware that the pledge is yet to be redeemed by the president.

“Atiku also pledged to implement a robust social investment programme to support the poor and vulnerable with CCTs. Atiku’s support to the poor and vulnerable would include prioritized actions to address the challenges of displacement and the sufferings of IDPs across the country.

“In contrast, the funds for Tinubu’s CCT were cornered by his officials in the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs.

“Alongside the Economic Stimulus Fund, Atiku pledged to launch a uniquely designed skills-to-job programme that would target all categories of youth, including graduates, early school leavers as well as the massive numbers of uneducated youth who are currently not in education, employment, or training.

“As a leader of vision, Atiku was ready for the potential fallout of his policies. Bola Tinubu was clearly not ready. It was only after he unleashed his morbid reforms that he started groping in the dark, looking for solutions. We all recall that in October 2023, the Financial Times of London rebuked Bola Tinubu for announcing plans without ideas for how to implement them.

“Point 3: Is the private sector not overburdened by Bola Tinubu’s failure to address the aftermath of his policies?

“Would Bayo Onanuga deny that Unilever, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), Procter & Gamble (P&G), Sanofi-Aventi Nigeria, Bolt Food, Equinor etc had exited Nigeria citing reasons including foreign exchange complexities, security concerns, and high operational costs? Bayo Onanuga must be living in a dream world outside the shores of Nigeria.

“Point 4: Is Bayo denying that cost-of-living pressures have intensified since May 2023?

“He needs to read the official statistics from the National Bureau of Statistics: The annual inflation rate reached a nearly 30-year high of 28.9% in December 2023, up from 28.2% in November.

“Would Bayo Onanuga deny that food prices, which constitute a significant portion of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) basket, soared to 33.9% in December, the highest level since August 2005? Would he also deny that in many states of the federation, citizens have blocked roads in protest? Just yesterday morning (Monday, February 5), it was reported that hundreds of residents of Minna in Niger State blocked major roads to protest hunger and the high cost of living in the country. Only failed leaders play the ostrich and live in self-denial.

“Point 5: The Presidency’s response is full of lamentations and resorts to blame game. It is a familiar road travelled by the ruling party!

“It has become fashionable for every APC-led government to blame others, especially the opposition and external factors for Nigeria’s economic woes. Now, Tinubu is elevating the blame game to the NEXT LEVEL as he accuses his own party of lacklustre performance.

“The evidence, however, is overwhelming. Tinubu’s under-performance is largely attributable to leadership failures in the management of the economy. The failure of leadership by the APC-led government is staring every Nigerian in the face as the country’s economic, social, political, and security challenges persist and assume frightening dimensions. An unprepared leadership such as Bola Tinubu’s fails to anticipate impending crisis and is always slow to react.”

The executive committee of the Cameroon Football Federation has rejected the resignation letter of its FA president, Samuel Eto’o.

Samuel Eto’o, who has been the president of the Cameroon FA since December 11, 2021, wrote to the committee to announce his resignation after the country failed to progress beyond the round of 16 stage of the 2023 AFCON.

Recall that Cameroon managed to qualify for the round of 16 after beating Gambia 3-2 in their last group-stage game on January 23.

Unfortunately, they lost 2-0 to the Super Eagles of Nigeria in the round of 16, putting an unexpected end to their 2023 AFCON campaign.

Samuel Eto’o, who attended virtually each of the four games his country played at the tournament in Ivory Coast, decided to bow out of the FA for failing to help his country win their long-awaited 6th AFCON title.

While the FA president decided to resign, there was no report concerning the future of the national team head coach, Rigobert Song.

In reaction to Eto’o’s unexpected resignation, the executive committee of the Cameroon FA issued a statement on Monday, February 5, to insist that the committee won’t approve his resignation.

The statement reads: “At the end of discussions and subsequent deliberations, the members of the executive committee decided to maintain their current mandates and thus unanimously rejected the president’s resignation thereby renewing their confidence in him to continue with the same spirit of reconstruction and development of Cameroon football at all levels as envisaged in his plan adopted by the elective general assembly of December 11, 2021.”

Previously unknown groups and talking heads have emerged in the lead-up to the primaries for the September 21, 2024, off-cycle governorship election in Edo State. Most of the groups and individuals come out openly and forcefully to promote and defend the interests of certain aspirants as “the best qualified” for the journey to the Osadebey Avenue Government House in Benin City, the capital city of the “Heart Beat of the Nation.”

But others simply throw dirt, and engage in diatribe and campaign of calumny to discredit, malign and sully the public and private image and reputation of aspirants they consider as threats to the ones they obscurely and obliquely advance their political interests.
Such’s the antic of a so-called “Concerned Edo PDP Patriots” in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who came out swinging at Dr Asue Ighodalo, a leading aspirant on the party platform. For all intents and purposes, the group appeared to have woken up to the “evil” of unfairly granting waivers to new or returning members to contest for any political offices.

This, they said, contravenes provisions of the PDP constitution, and shouldn’t be extended to Mr Ighodalo, a Lagos-based businessman reportedly backed by Governor Godwin Obaseki, who’s also a Lagos businessman brought in and “installed” by Governor Adams Oshiomhole in 2016.

Despite the group’s protestation, the Governor Caleb Mutfwang-led PDP Governorship Screening Committee for Edo State cleared Ighodalo and nine other aspirants,  who appeared before it on January 29 – with eight of them receiving their clearance certificates the next day.

The aspirants cleared are: Hon. Omosede Igbinedion, Anslem U. Ojezua Esq., Hon. Felix E. Akhabue, Dr Asuerinme Ighodalo, Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu, Arthur Esene, Hon. Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama, Amb. (Prof.) Martin Uhomoibhi, Osaro Osaze Onaiwu, and Umoru Adizetu Hadizat.

If the PDP granted Ighodalo a waiver, would it be the first time to a non-party or core member? Did the stakeholders forget, unaware or ignorant of the blatant breach of the party constitution majorly to make “new or returning members” eligible for elective offices?

Were the “worried” members out of the political space since 1999, when PDP powerbrokers – and chieftains of political parties across the board – routinely disregard provisions of the party constitution, and give waivers to those who can afford the “asking price” and possess the warchest to prosecute campaigns?

Little or no thoughts are given to such candidates’ sources of wealth nor to their capability, capacity, competence, and the ground game to winning elections! All the party “elders” care about is how to “get their share” of the booty before the elections are confirmed or tossed by the courts.

Going by the PDP constitution, new members are required to sustain a continued membership for a minimum of two years, to be eligible to contest for elections, while returning members will remain on probation for at least one year, during which they won’t be eligible to vote or be voted for “except if granted waivers.”

Waivers have been contentious because many new or returning members want to contest for elective offices before they serve out the mandatory periods of probation. And the executive committees of the PDP at all levels have exploited the “loopholes” in the party constitution to grant or refuse waivers, for which the National Executive Committee (NEC) has the final say.

A few examples of waivers granted by the PDP in recent times will suffice in this discourse! In 2010, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who ran for president in 2007 under the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), returned to the PDP, and was granted a waiver to participate in the primaries for the 2011 presidential poll, with a PDP chieftain in Adamawa State, Alhaji Sadiq Aliyu Jada, taking the party to court for “illegal waiver” for Atiku.

On Aug 29, 2014, after defecting from the APC, the PDP – amid protests from other governorship aspirants in Adamawa – granted waivers to former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Malam Nuhu Ribadu, former Lagos Military Governor, Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa (retd), and former governorship candidate Marcus Gundiri, to contest for the primaries for the 2015 General Election.

In October 2017, the PDP granted waivers to former Governor Rashidi Ladoja, Engr Seyi Makinde and other returnees to the party. While Ladoja – then gunning for the post of national chairman – joined from Accord Party, Makinde moved from the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

In 2018, Mr Oseloka Obaze, a protégé of former Anambra State governor and presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr Peter Obi, was granted a waiver to contest in the 2018 stand-alone governorship. Likewise on June 25, 2020, the PDP waived membership for embattled Deputy Governor Agboola Ajayi of Ondo State for the governorship election for that November.

The most glaring of the Edo PDP stakeholders’ “selective amnesia” are the waivers the party granted to Governor Obaseki, and Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu to run for re-election in 2020 – after the APC denied Obaseki the ticket, and he defected to the PDP days to its primaries. While it weighed the waivers, the PDP postponed its primary poll in Edo from June 19-20, to June 23, 2020. According to Comrade Shaibu, he and Obaseki spent “naira and dollars” for the waivers and ticket for the governorship, which they won.

It’s like the “PDP Patriots” were saying, “Those are past cases; let’s turn a new page and deny Ighodalo a waiver because he’s not a bona-fide member of the PDP. And in any case, Governor Obaseki can’t grant him a waiver.” And one may ask: Is it Obaseki’s duty to grant a waiver or the leadership of the party?

The screening is over, but it’s crucial to understand the context of the petitioners’ complaint in a preemptive statement – as the waiver for Ighodalo was speculative as of the time of the petition on January 28. Meaning that the undersigned – Musa Aliyu (Owan East), Suleiman Braimoh (Etsako West), Victor Ikponwonsa (Egor), Osadolor Ogie (Oredo) and Ebosele Odion (Esan Central) – were intent on disqualifying Ighodalo at the screening in 24 hours, to prevent him from the primaries, and scuttle his governorship ambition!

Besides directing the petition to the Mutfwang committee, the PDP group copied the PDP Acting National Chairman; members of its National Working Committee (NWC); Zonal Vice Chairman (South-South); Chairman, PDP Governors’ Forum; Chairman, PDP Board of Trustees (BoT); and Edo State Working Committee.

Thus, the tone of their petition was unambiguous! It reads in part: “We, the undersigned, wish to bring to your attention a matter of critical importance regarding the purported waiver planned for the aspirant of the incumbent Governor, Asuen ighodalo, in the upcoming Edo State Gubernatorial election of 2024.

“It has come to our notice that the planned waiver directly contravenes the party’s constitution, as amended, in Section 9, Paragraph 3, of Page 68, which unequivocally states that there shall be a minimum of two years membership span for a member to be eligible to stand for election into any public office.

“It is evident that the anointed candidate of the governor does not meet this requirement as stipulated in the party’s constitution. Granting a waiver that overlooks this vital membership requirement not only undermines the integrity of the democratic process, but also goes against the fundamental tenets of our party’s constitution.

“With this in mind, we respectfully urge the screening committee to consider this petition and to refrain from making any erroneous decisions that could potentially jeopardize the party’s chances of retaining the state.”

Without a doubt, the complainants were fighting the political interest of a certain aspirant(s) they weren’t bold enough to reveal, and cleverly “choose and pick” from the PDP constitution the provisions that align with their objective to halt the aspiration of Ighodalo that’s gained widespread acceptance.

Since entering for the race – and informing his ward members in Ewohimi community of Esan South East local government area of Edo State, officially declaring interest at the state headquarters in Benin City, and obtaining the Expression of Interest and Nomination forms at the PDP national secretariat in Abuja – Ighodalo’s received support and solidarity from PDP members and the electorate in Edo State.

He lately got an enthusiastic reception from PDP members in Uhumwode, Orhionmwon and Ikpoba-Okha local government areas of Edo South, when he visited the areas as part of his consultations across the 18 local government areas of Edo State. As first reported by News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on January 26, Ighodalo received a unanimous endorsement of the party faithful as their “consensus aspirant” for the PDP primaries.

Amid applause, the party stalwarts and members said that Ighodalo’s endorsement – moved and seconded by elderstatesman, former Sen. Roland Owie and Mr Charles Egbe – “was informed by his track record of excellence in the various capacities he had served outside politics.”
In a speech, Ighodalo, who appreciated the people’s approval, and appealed to them to nominate him as the PDP flagbearer for the September 21 poll, said the governorship election isn’t about tribe, religion, family connections, “but about the man with the capacity and capability to develop Edo State,” adding that, “Edo has no reason not to be developed if the right leaders are chosen to lead the state.”

Touting his “track records” in the business world, Ighodalo said he’s “the best aspirant for the election,” and declared: “I am the leader that will take the state beyond the next level, hence my appeal for your nomination and support. Let us choose who can help us know the developmental road to lead Edo, and in doing so, we will have good roads and other basic amenities.

“So, I am appealing to you all to give me the opportunity to help our people in Edo, and I promise you all that I will help the people and remove them from poverty. We are going to govern Edo together, as one man cannot do it alone. So, together, we will create a better state and Nigeria.”

Some PDP members, who voluntarily stepped down their governorship aspirations, accompanied Ighodalo during his official declaration in Benin City, and obtaining of the nomination forms in Abuja, to drum support and cooperation for his inspirational bid for Governor that Esan people of Edo Central have clamoured for since 1999.

Yet, Ighodalo isn’t beating the drum for an Esan Governor, but a Governor of Esan extraction. So, as he moves round selling himself and his vision and mission to Edolites, his simple message is that he’s the wherewithal to turnaround the fortunes of Edo State, like the big and viable businesses under his direct or nominal belt within and outside Nigeria.

This message of good governance to redeem Edo State, and provide the dividend of democracy to ameliorate the people’s suffering, has resonated everywhere Ighodalo goes for consultations ahead of the primaries, and the September poll.

Perhaps, the “Concerned Edo PDP Patriots” don’t like to hear the message, and wanted to shut him out of the political contest. But the Mutfwang screening committee, and God didn’t sanction their entreaties! And Dr Asue Ighodalo’s still standing, his political fate in the hands of PDP voters at the governorship primaries!

Mr Ezomon, Journalist and Media Consultant, writes from Lagos, Nigeria .